T-Mobile, Apple rumored to be in 'advanced talks' for Q3 iPhone launch

T-Mobile USA is said to be in discussions with Apple to bring the iPhone to the wireless carrier this fall, ending AT&T's exclusive hold on the handset, according to a new rumor.

Citing a "highly placed source" at T-Mobile, Leander Kahney at Cult of Macreported Wednesday that the wireless carrier and Apple are in "advanced talks." He placed an 80 percent likelihood that the iPhone will become available on T-Mobile's network this fall.

Apple became interested because of the influence of T-Mobile's parent company, Deutsche Telekom, the source indicated. T-Mobile is the smallest of the four carriers in the U.S., with 33.7 million customers.

As it currently is, the iPhone 4 is not compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network in the U.S., as the carrier uses the unique 1700MHz spectrum. The iPhone is compatible with UMTS/HSDPA 3G connections at the frequencies 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz. In other words, the handset would need a new internal radio to work with T-Mobile's network.

Apple and AT&T originally agreed to an exclusive deal through 2012, though it's believed the terms of that contract likely changed over the years.

The latest rumor comes as most expected the iPhone to first head to Verizon, as both The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported this year that Apple is working on a CDMA iPhone that would be compatible with Verizon's network. Unlike T-Mobile's network, which uses the same technology but operates on a different frequency, Verizon is a completely different technology, which would require a more drastic redesign of the iPhone.

As it currently is, the iPhone 4 is not compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network in the U.S., as the carrier uses the unique 1700MHz spectrum. The iPhone is compatible with UMTS/HSDPA 3G connections at the frequencies 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz. In other words, the handset would need a new internal radio to work with T-Mobile's network.

Whatever, forget the 3G for now. I will use wifi and edge in the meantime, as long as ATT has a competitor that carries the iPhone. Since verizon is going to GSM 4G this year I can finally accept rumors of a Verizon iPhone next year. Until then let's at least have T-Mo as an option.

Why does everyone think LTE is 4G? It isn't. It's 3.9G. Not a big deal, but just for clarification. Anyways, T-Mobile wouldn't be that hard since it's essentially the same chip, just swapping out frequencies. However I think Apple has their hands full and isn't really dedicating much time to T-Mobile.

But....but....but....but adding a new radio is just SOOOOOOOO expensive! NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!

Says who? Don't confuse the hurdles with making a CDMA iPhone with adding an operating band to the next iPhone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostface147

Why does everyone think LTE is 4g? It isn't. It's 3.9G.

You can call it 3.9 but you can't say 4? Why not 3.8, why 3.9? You don't think rounding up 0.1 is okay considering the 'xG' nomenclature is in itself BS, which is why T-Mobile is already using '4G' for HPSA.

I've been very happy with AT&T coverage and service. It is on the expensive side though. The new $15 data plans help a little bit, but I'd still consider switching to T-mobile if they can offer a much cheaper package.

AT&T's early upgrade promotion makes much more sense if another carrier is getting the iPhone this fall. The loop-hole with that is I can still sell my iPhone 4 on ebay and easily recoup the cost of the phone + AT&T's early termination fee. I'd probably make money after everything's said and done.